Painters: good tools for design layouts.

[fishtank]

I finally decided on a design for this old open face helmet that I've been wanting to paint. It's going to be white with blue scallops.

While looking for something to help me get the curves right, I came across a set of compasses and stencils that my dad used when he was in college. They were for a mechanical drawing class. The assortment of curves on the stencils, as well as the variety of other tools really help in keeping everything symetrical.

It maybe cheating, but it is much easier than measuring and eyeballing. I would post pics, but my computer is a flaming pile of donkey poo.

[Tuck]

professional custom painters use alot of different tools, stencils, rulers, you name it... the process isnt as important as the end result.

tuck

[Unkl Ian]

Circle templates will help with the tighter curves.
French Curves and Sweeps will help with larger curves.

Try not to use straight lines,They look static.

If your Wife doesn't mind,and the IRS doesn't mind,it's not considered Cheating.
Call it an aid to production.
And if it looks good,it is good.